William Parker, 1853-1945, was born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1871. He worked as a farm hand in Ontario before joining the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1874. He was stationed at Swan River, Manitoba in 1875. He attended the signing of both Treaty 6, 1876, and Treaty 7, 1877. He was then posted at Shoal Lake, Manitoba and Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan before being transferred to Battleford in 1880. There he married Mary Margaret Calder, ?-1944, in 1882. They had three children, Maude, Gordon Sinclair, 1883-1946, and Reginald John. He was transferred to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, 1882-1884, was a member of Steele's Scouts during the 1885 Riel Rebellion (North West Rebellion), and was posted to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, 1885-1903. He took a leave of absence in 1900 to fight in the South African War. In 1903 he was made an inspector and was transferred to Battleford. His final transfer was to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1905, where he served as magistrate and officer commanding until his retirement in 1912. William ran a real estate and insurance business in Medicine Hat until 1938. He wrote his reminiscences ca. 1942-1944. Parker Avenue in Medicine Hat, Alberta is named after Inspector Parker. The fonds consists of diaries (1874-1905), correspondence (1871-1882), and manuscript of his reminiscences. Includes some personal correspondence of brother, Harry Parker.

AMDigital Reference: M-934-(12-13).

Reproduction of: William Parker letters to family, 1877 1877.

Glenbow Museum